SHILLONG: North Shillong MLA Adelbert Nongrum said on Monday that keeping silent about crime is as good as committing one and one should promptly report the various crimes against women and children.
Addressing a gathering at a district level campaign on ‘End Violence against Children’ at Brookdene Hall in the city recently, Nongrum, who was the chief guest, said, “This programme is… the need for all of us who are here, and those who are not here, and it is the need of the state and the world at large.”
The MLA urged everyone to report crimes against women and children.
The objective of the campaign was to create awareness at the district level to end various types of violence against children and ensure their rights.
Meena Kharkongor, chairperson of the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, highlighted on the issue of protection of children from sexual offences. Kharkongor enlightened the participants about laws like the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, as well as various sexual assaults and who is responsible for monitoring it.
Later, the session resumed with Paul Wahlang, District Child Protection Officer showing a video clip of children who have undergone untold sufferings during a war in the Middle East.
In his speech, Wahlang cited a number of instances of child sexual abuse and violence. He also spoke at length about the United Nation Convention on the Rights of Children.
Representatives from Bethany Society and North East Network Organisation also spoke at the programme. Participants got the opportunity to interact with the resource persons.